PUTRAJAYA: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has called on Muslims to stop engaging in polemics over trivial matters and to bring different views into harmony.

In his national Maulidur Rasul celebration address here Tuesday, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah said it was necessary for Muslims to nurture and strengthen unity so that Islam will not be look down upon.

He said he wanted all Muslims in the country to strive for unity and to harmonise differing views in evaluating any matters.

"Lately, I have seen that there are a handful of Muslims who were easily influenced by external and foreign teachings brought into our community.

"From one perspective, it is seen as differences in view between sects that were considered trivial and minor because it involved a branches and twigs issue.

"But remember, (if a matter) is debated and discussed in a cynical or reckless manner, it will invite conflict, spark a polemic, and can cause disunity and public anxiety.

Maulidur Rasul celebrations in Putrajaya.

"The attitude of the Muslims to likely continue in polemics over trivial matters will only bring a poor image to a community, seen as immature and failing to conquer various fields of knowledge," Tuanku Abdul Halim said when delivering his speech at the Masjid Putra main prayer hall here.

In conjunction with the Prophet Muhammad's birthday, Tuanku Abdul Halim also reflected on the Prophet's success in integrating various races and tribes and making Madinah a reflection of the glory of Islam.

The King said unity and excellence may be achieved through the concept of wasatiyyah (moderation) and called on all to make moderation a way of life.

He said the Prophet proved that differences in race, religious beliefs, culture and language were no hindrance to unity as long as the concept of moderation was practised.

"(The Prophet Muhammad's) success is closely related to his leadership in managing a plural society of different background, tribes and beliefs.

"He (Prophet Muhammad) successfully discarded bad habits and a fanatic culture in a community and replaced them with tolerance and understanding of one another," Tuanku Abdul Halim said.

The King was accompanied by Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah.

The royals were also joined by thousands of worshippers, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.